Toyota recalls RAV4 for rear suspension check

Toyota has issued a safety recall notice for more than 65,000 examples of its RAV4 in Australia to rectify potential problems with the model’s rear suspension.

The recall applies to 2WD, AWD and V6 models manufactured between October 2005 and November 2010 – totalling no less than 66,377 RAV4s sold in Australia.

Toyota Australia spokeswoman Beck Angel told motoring.com.au this is an extension to what began as a customer satisfaction exercise announced back in July, relating to vehicles whose adjustable rear suspension arm may have not have been sufficiently tightened after an ‘in-service’ rear wheel alignment.

According to the ACCC: “The threads on the rear suspension arm may wear, potentially causing the arm to separate while in motion and resulting in loss of vehicle control at speed.”

Ms Angel said the company upgraded the issue to a full recall – four months after telling local media it wouldn’t – to provide it with access to the full nationwide registration database.

“That makes it easier  to follow up on buyers who’ve relocated and who our dealers have lost touch with, so we get a better completion rate.”

Toyota said the move was a precautionary measure. “The chances of finding a vehicle where the problem is evident are very low indeed – it’s basically a make-sure measure,” said Ms Angel.

In keeping with recall procedure, owners will receive a letter instructing them to book their car in with a Toyota dealer for inspection and, if necessary, installation of rear suspension arm retaining clips.

VIN numbers of vehicles affected:

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